Empowering Head Start Leaders with NHSA’s Executive Leadership Credential

Join us for an informational webinar dedicated to introducing Head Start leaders to NHSA’s Executive Leadership Credential. This specialized program, now in its second year, is designed exclusively for Head Start leaders like you! Discover how this credential can enhance your leadership skills, connect you with a network of like-minded professionals, and elevate the impact of your Head Start program. Hear directly from current Executive Leadership Credential members and get your questions answered during this dynamic session.

Moderator: Kristina Ellis, Director

Presenters:

Dr. Deborah Bergeron, (or Dr. B as she is known to students and educators) has spent over thirty years working to support the growth and development of children. She worked in public education as a middle and high school classroom teacher, an elementary and high school administrator and holds a school superintendents license in Virginia. Dr. B also started, grew and eventually sold her own supplemental educational services company. In 2018, Dr. Bergeron was asked to lead the Office of Head Start and the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. It was here where Dr. B developed her passion for Head Start, Early Head Start and the early learning environment in general. In January, 2021, Dr. B joined the National Head Start Association as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation. Here, she aims to bring the Head Start and Early Head Start community together, provide the necessary support to ensure high quality programming and be a constant reminder to the folks on the ground that THEY are the backbone of Head Start and Early Head Start. Dr. B advocates for programming that develops the whole child and embraces the value the family has in that process. “Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher,” is her favorite mantra, compliments of Head Start. Dr. Bergeron holds a B.S.Ed. from Texas State University, a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and a PhD in Education Policy and Education Psychology from George Mason University. She lives in Virginia with her husband and has four awesome children who, although are all grown up, will always be her heart!

Loukisha Smart-Pennix, Interim Chief of Youth and Family Potential, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Monica Coates, Director of Early Childhood, Caldwell Parish School District